Animal pen flooring system

ABSTRACT

An animal confinement pen flooring system, particularly adapted for swine farrowing operations, includes at least first and third rows of spaced-apart molded plastic foraminous flooring panels and an intermediate row of cast iron foraminous flooring panels, all of the panels being supported on spaced-apart elongated support rails in a stand off position above a subfloor. The plastic and cast iron panels each include opposed sets of hooked-shaped flanges for engagement with support rails, respectively, for supporting the panels thereon. The cast iron panels each include a boss and an opposed recess disposed on opposite sides thereof for interconnecting adjacent panels by cooperating hook portions formed on the boss and in the recess of the adjacent panel, respectively. The combination of the cast iron and molded plastic flooring panels provides enhanced comfort for swine in farrowing operations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Animal confinement pens, particularly pens for confining sows andpiglets in swine farrowing houses present certain problems with respectto the flooring systems for use in such pens. For example, the flooringsystems are preferably supported in a standoff position with respect toa subfloor so that animal wastes may be removed from the confinementpens by way of the space between the raised flooring and subflooringtherebelow. Raised flooring systems may be characterized by elongatedspaced-apart support rails and removable foraminous flooring panelssupported thereby. The construction of farrowing pen flooring panels ispreferably of thermoplastic covering at least a portion of theconfinement pen. However, the weight of the sow is such thatconventional plastic flooring panels do not provide adequate support.Moreover, it has been determined that the sow prefers to reside on acast iron or similar metallic panel which is of adequate strength butwhich also provides for a heating and cooling effect preferred by thesow. On the other hand the infant pigs prefer the more constanttemperature and smoothness of molded plastic flooring and do not requirethe extra strength provided by cast iron, steel or other suitable metalswhich may be used for flooring panels.

[0002] Continuing improvements have been desired in animal pen flooringsystems of the general type described herein. The present inventionovercomes certain disadvantages in prior art flooring systems andprovides an improved flooring system which utilizes both molded plasticand cast iron or other metal panels which are secured to each other andto spaced apart support rails in an improved manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides an improved flooring system,particularly useful for animal confinement pens and more particularlyuseful for confinement pens used in swine farrowing operations.

[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, aflooring system is provided wherein spaced-apart elongated support railsare adapted to support spaced-apart rows of molded plastic flooringpanels between which is disposed a row of cast iron or similar metalflooring panels. Both types of flooring panels are provided withelongated hook-like support flanges which are interleaved with eachother and which engage upstanding elongated support rails to support theflooring in a standoff position from a subfloor to facilitate animalwaste disposal.

[0005] An improved arrangement in accordance with the present inventionis one wherein an elongated set of cast iron or similar metal panels areinterlocked with each other and supported by spaced-apart support rails.The metal panels are configured to be interleaved with opposed sets ofmolded plastic flooring panels which are also partially supported by thesame pair of support rails which support the metal panels and arefurther supported by a second set of spaced apart elongated supportrails disposed outboard of the first mentioned set of rails.

[0006] The present invention further provides an improved animalconfinement pen flooring system wherein the center set of flooringpanels is provided by separate panels which are supported on theaforementioned support rails but which are also interlocked with eachother to form a more rigid flooring system. The center panels are eachprovided with an integrally formed laterally projecting tongue and hookpart on one side of the panel and the adjacent panel is provided with arecess and cooperating hook part on an opposite side of the panel. Eachcenter panel may be identical or one or more of the center panels may beof different widths to provide the required overall dimension of theconfinement pen.

[0007] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate theabove-mentioned advantages and superior features of the inventiontogether with other important aspects thereof upon reading the detaileddescription which follows in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal confinement pen flooringsystem in accordance with the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a cast iron or similar cast metalflooring panel in accordance with the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the flooring panel shown in FIG.2;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a detail view showing a recess and hook part formed onone lateral side of the flooring panel shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a section view taken generally along the line 5-5 ofFIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a section view taken generally along the line 6-6 ofFIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a section view taken generally along the line 7-7 ofFIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a section view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 1; and

[0016]FIG. 9 is a section view taken generally along the line 9-9 ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] In the description which follows, like parts are markedthroughout the specification and drawing with the same referencenumerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scaleand certain features may be shown exaggerated in scale in the interestof clarity and conciseness.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a flooring system inaccordance with the present invention and generally designated by thenumeral 10. The flooring system 10 is adapted to be supported in astandoff position from a subfloor 12 by plural, spaced-apart elongatedsomewhat inverted T-shaped rails 14, see FIGS. 5 and 6 also, forexample.

[0019] The rails 14 are preferably supported by spaced-apart supportblocks 16, as shown in FIG. 1, one shown for each of the four rails 14illustrated in the drawing figure. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that the support blocks 16 may be spaced apart along each rail14, as required, to provide suitable support for each rail,respectively.

[0020] The flooring system 10 further includes plural spaced-apart rowsof generally rectangular shape molded plastic flooring panels 18 whichare foraminous to allow animal waste to drop therethrough onto thesubfloor 12 to be suitably removed therefrom. Each of the panels 18includes spaced apart laterally projecting hooked shaped flanges 20 and22 which are disposed on opposite sides of the panels, as shown. Theside of a panel 18 which includes the flanges 20 is also provided withhalf length flanges, each generally designated by the numeral 21.

[0021] The opposed spaced-apart rows of panels 18 are separated by a rowof cast metal flooring panels characterized by plural panels 24supported side by side, and suitably interconnected, as will beexplained in further detail herein. Panels 24 are preferably formed ofcast iron, although other cast or forged metals may be used.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the panels 24 is characterizedas a generally rectangular, preferably square, member having a set oflaterally projecting spaced apart hook-shaped flanges 26 disposed alongone side of a panel and an opposed set of hook shaped flanges 28suitably spaced apart on the opposite side of the panel 24. Short orhalf length flanges 29 are spaced from the flanges 28 on the side of thepanel 24 which includes the flanges 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the spacingof the flanges 26, 28 and 29 is such that these flanges fit incooperating recesses formed between the flanges 22 and 20 of therespective panels 18, as illustrated. The center set of panels 24 mayinclude one or more panels 24 a, one shown in FIG. 1, and of half thewidth of the panels 24, but otherwise identical to the panels 24. Panels24 a provide for spacing the panels 24 with respect to the panels 18such that they overlap to provide a more rigid flooring system.

[0023] Referring further to FIG. 2, the panels 24 include asubstantially foraminous support surface defined by elongated perimeterwebs 30 opposed to and parallel to each other. Transverse, parallelperimeter webs 32 extend normal to the webs 30. Intermediate webs 34 areequally spaced from the webs 32 and the remainder of the surface of thepanel 24 is delimited by elongated slots 36, 38 and 40, for example, toform a substantially foraminous surface to allow animal wastes to falltherethrough and to form foothold surfaces to facilitate animals arisingfrom resting positions.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, which is a bottom plan view of the panel 24,it should be noted that each of the webs 30 is reinforced by a dependingflange 33 and each of the webs 32 and 34 is reinforced by a similardepending flange 35 and 37, respectively. Still further, the flanges 26are each provided with a depending hook portion 39. The opposed flanges28 and 29 are provided with similar depending hook portions 40 and 41,respectively.

[0025] Referring further to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 the panels 24 are eachprovided with means for interconnecting adjacent panels to form a morerigid flooring system, including a boss 44 projecting from a web 32approximately midway between the opposed webs 30. Boss 44 is providedwith a depending hook part 46, FIGS. 3 and 9. The opposite side edge ofeach panel 24 is provided with a recess 48, see FIG. 4, formed in theweb 32 of that side, for receiving a portion of the boss 44 of theadjacent panel. An upstanding hook part 50, FIGS. 2 and 4, delimits oneside of the recess 48 and cooperates with a hook part 46 of an adjacentpanel 24 or 24 a to latch adjacent panels together, as shown in FIG. 9.In this way the panels 24 and 24 a are suitably supported againstmovement in any direction since the panels are supported on the rails 14and are also interconnected with each other. As shown in FIG. 3,spaced-apart bosses 43 project into grooves formed by the hook shapedflanges 26, 28 and 29 to assist in locating and minimizing shiftingmovements of the panels 24 when they are supported on the rails 14.

[0026] Referring briefly to FIGS. 5 and 6, these figures illustratetypical arrangements wherein the panels 18 and 24 are supported by therails 14. As shown in FIG. 5, hook shaped flanges 20 engage a rail 14and abut directly against a panel 24 at a recess formed by each panel 24between its hook shaped flanges 28. In like manner, as shown in FIG. 6,each of the panels 24 is supported by a rail 14 by engagement with therail by a hook shaped flange 28 and a cooperating boss 43. Flanges 28project into cooperating recesses formed in panels 18 between flanges20.

[0027]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate how the hook shaped flanges 26 and hookshaped flanges 22 engage respective rails 14 to support the panels 18and 24 on the rails in the same manner as described above.

[0028] Accordingly, with the flooring system 10 arranged as illustratedand described, superior strength is provided by the interconnected andstandoff supported panels 24 whereby, when the flooring system 10 isplaced in a generally rectangular confinement pen, a sow will normallyremain on the cast iron panels 24 due to the comfort provided to the sowthereby, while the offspring will normally remain on the molded plasticpanels 18 due to the thermal conductivity characteristics of thesepanels and the somewhat softer or more comfortable feel that the panelspresent to swine offspring.

[0029] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the flooring system10 may be quickly and easily erected and disassembled, as needed. Thanksto the arrangement of two rows of plastic panels 18 cooperating with acenter row of cast iron or similar cast metal panels 24 and 24 ainterposed the plastic panels and interlocked with each other as well aswith the plastic panels, several advantages in the art of animal penflooring systems are realized. The arrangement of adjacent rows ofplastic and metal panels may be repeated indefinitely, although thearrangement of two rows of plastic panels and a center row of cast ironpanels is preferred for each pen.

[0030] The panels 18 and 24 may be provided in various dimensions.Panels having outside dimensions of 24 inches by 24 inches are typicalfor use in swine farrowing houses. As mentioned above, the panels 24above are preferably formed of cast iron and the panels 18 arepreferably formed of molded plastic, such as polypropylene. Thefabrication of the panels 18 and 24 may be carried out usingconventional manufacturing processes for articles made of the preferredmaterials mentioned above. The foramina of all panels is preferablyelongated slots.

[0031] Although a preferred embodiment of an animal confinement penflooring system has been described herein in detail, those skilled inthe art will recognize that various modifications and substitutions maybe made to the flooring system of the present invention withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A flooring system for an animal confinement pencomprising: four, spaced apart, upstanding, elongated, parallel supportrails for supporting said flooring system in a standoff position from asubfloor; a first row of molded plastic foraminous flooring panelssupported on spaced apart first and second ones of said support rails,said first row of panels including plural panels disposed side-by-side,each of said panels of said first row including on opposite sidesthereof opposed sets of spaced apart hook-shaped flanges engaged withrespective ones of said first and second support rails; an intermediaterow of cast metal foraminous flooring panels supported by said secondone of said support rails and a third one of said support rails, saidpanels of said intermediate row being coplanar with said panels of saidfirst row and said panels of said intermediate row including spacedapart hook-shaped flanges on opposite sides thereof, respectively, andengaged with said second and third support rails, respectively, saidhook-shaped flanges on one side of said panels of said intermediate rowbeing interfitted between cooperating ones of said hook-shaped flangesof said panels of said first row, respectively; a third row of moldedplastic foraminous flooring panels supported on said third one of saidsupport rails and a fourth one of said support rails, said third row ofpanels including plural panels disposed side by side, each of saidpanels of said third row including on opposite sides thereof opposedsets of hook-shaped flanges engaged with said third and fourth supportrails, respectively, one set of hook-shaped flanges of said panels ofsaid third row being interfitted between one set of hook-shaped flangeson an opposite side of said panels of said intermediate row forinterlocking said panels of said intermediate row with said panels ofsaid third row, said panels of said third row being coplanar with saidpanels of said intermediate row; and said panels of said intermediaterow include perimeter and intermediate webs, and plural elongated slotsformed in an animal support surface of said panels of said intermediaterow, respectively, between respective ones of said webs.
 15. Theflooring system set forth in claim 14 wherein: each of said panels ofsaid intermediate row include depending flanges reinforcing said webs ofsaid panels of said intermediate row, respectively.
 16. The flooringsystem set forth in claim 15 wherein: each of said panels of saidintermediate row is provided with spaced apart bosses projecting fromselected ones of said depending flanges and disposed adjacent respectiveones of said hook-shaped flanges to assist in locating and minimizingshifting movement of said panels of said intermediate row with respectto said second and third support rails, respectively.
 17. The flooringsystem set forth in claim 14 wherein: said panels of said intermediaterow each include on one side edge a boss projecting from a web betweenopposed sides of said panels of said intermediate row which include saidhook-shaped flanges, respectively, and including a depending hook partfor disposition in a recess formed on an opposite side of an adjacentpanel of said intermediate row, and a cooperating upstanding hook partdelimiting one side of said recess, said hook parts being cooperable tolatch adjacent panels of said intermediate row together, respectively,to prevent separation of said panels forming said flooring system. 18.The flooring system set forth in claim 14 wherein: said panels of saidintermediate row are formed of cast iron, respectively.
 19. A flooringsystem for an animal confinement pen comprising: four, spaced apart,upstanding, elongated, parallel support rails for supporting saidflooring system in a standoff position from a subfloor; a first row ofmolded plastic foraminous flooring panels supported on spaced apartfirst and second ones of said support rails, said first row of panelsincluding plural panels disposed side-by-side, each of said panels ofsaid first row including on opposite sides thereof opposed sets ofspaced apart hook-shaped flanges engaged with respective ones of saidfirst and second support rails; an intermediate row of metal flooringpanels supported by said second one of said support rails and a thirdone of said support rails, said panels of said intermediate rowincluding spaced apart hook-shaped flanges on opposite sides thereof,respectively, and engaged with said second and third support rails,respectively, said hook-shaped flanges on one side of said panels ofsaid intermediate row being interfitted between cooperating ones of saidhook-shaped flanges of said panels of said first row, respectively; athird row of molded plastic foraminous flooring panels supported on saidthird one of said support rails and a fourth one of said support rails,said third row of panels including plural panels disposed side by side,each of said panels of said third row including on opposite sidesthereof opposed sets of hook-shaped flanges engaged with said third andfourth support rails, respectively, one set of hook-shaped flanges ofsaid panels of said third row being interfitted between one set ofhook-shaped flanges of said panels of said intermediate row forinterlocking said panels of said intermediate row with said panels ofsaid third row; said panels of said intermediate row each includeperimeter and intermediate webs, and plural elongated slots formed in ananimal support surface of said panels of said intermediate row,respectively, between respective ones of said webs; each of said panelsof said intermediate row include depending flanges reinforcing said websof said panels of said intermediate row, respectively; and each of saidpanels of said intermediate row is provided with spaced apart bossesprojecting from selected ones of said depending flanges and disposedadjacent respective ones of said hook-shaped flanges for locating andminimizing shifting movement of said panels of said intermediate rowwith respect to said second and third support rails, respectively.
 20. Aflooring system for an animal confinement pen comprising: four, spacedapart, upstanding, elongated, parallel support rails for supporting saidflooring system in a standoff position from a subfloor; a first row ofmolded plastic foraminous flooring panels supported on spaced apartfirst and second ones of said support rails, said first row of panelsincluding plural panels disposed side-by-side, each of said panels ofsaid first row including on opposite sides thereof opposed sets ofspaced apart hook-shaped flanges engaged with respective ones of saidfirst and second support rails; an intermediate row of foraminous castiron flooring panels supported by said second one of said support railsand a third one of said support rails, said panels of said intermediaterow including spaced apart hook-shaped flanges on opposite sidesthereof, respectively, and engaged with said second and third supportrails, respectively, said hook-shaped flanges on one side of said panelsof said intermediate row being interfitted between cooperating ones ofsaid hook-shaped flanges of said panels of said first row, respectively;and a third row of molded plastic foraminous flooring panels supportedon said third one of said support rails and a fourth one of said supportrails, said third row of panels including plural panels disposed side byside, each of said panels of said third row including on opposite sidesthereof opposed sets of hook-shaped flanges engaged with said third andfourth support rails, respectively, one set of hook-shaped flanges ofsaid panels of said third row being interfitted between one set ofhook-shaped flanges of said panels of said intermediate row forinterlocking said panels of said intermediate row with said panels ofsaid third row.
 21. The flooring system set forth in claim 20 wherein:each of said panels of said intermediate row is provided with spacedapart bosses projecting from respective depending flanges and disposedadjacent respective ones of said hook-shaped flanges to assist inlocating and minimizing shifting movement of said panels of saidintermediate row with respect to said second and third support rails,respectively.